On our campus, parking has been a hotly debated issue for as long as most people can remember. And while it may be too much to hope for a light at the end of this long tunnel, part of MSU’s 2020 Vision plans for campus development tackle part of the parking problem, even as parking spots are lost for added green space.
The proposed creation of a 1,300 space parking lot where the Michigan State Police headquarters is located on Harrison Avenue would be a huge benefit to student commuters and visitors to the university. The state police is proposing a new headquarters in downtown Lansing to replace the East Lansing facility, which is actually located on university land.
The parking problem has plagued students, faculty and staff members for years, and it seems each year new problems arise that parking officials have to deal with. As more students arrive on campus, the problem will only be compounded.
Of the various locations around the perimeter of campus, this one makes the most sense. It’s located close to Breslin Center to absorb overflow for large events, it provides space for visitors on campus and creates a good place for traffic to move to once more of the 2020 plan becomes reality, turning much of the campus to green space.
A perimeter parking lot on a busy street would provide much-needed parking spaces that students have long clamored for. Also, with the increasing number of students commuting in from new apartment developments on the north side of East Lansing, parking spaces on the north side of campus will be needed to accommodate them.
This space, along with other places like the Spartan Stadium surface lot, Trowbridge Road parking ramp, the commuter lot at Mount Hope Road and Farm Lane and others will be needed to make the 2020 plan work.
Some may be concerned about the state police headquarters being relocated, fearing that safety may be compromised if the state police leave its station adjacent to campus.
But there is little reason to worry about safety. MSU and East Lansing police do a more-than-adequate job keeping the peace in our community, and state police troopers will remain patroling the area.
MSU police officials also give assurances that the state police’s planned relocation to downtown Lansing would still be close enough to facilitate any needed help.
Of course, the state police holds the key to the success of this plan since it holds a 99-year lease on the campus land that dates back to 1931. If the law enforcement agency chooses not to relinquish the lot early, this parking lot plan would be pointless for about 18 more years.
We can hope that the state police will look favorably on the university and see itself in a good position to help MSU by providing us with another place to park our vehicles. We certainly need it.
